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Related Experiment Videos

Cholinergic synapses in human cerebral cortex: an ultrastructural study in serial sections

J F Smiley1, F Morrell, M M Mesulam

  • 1Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA.

Experimental Neurology
|April 1, 1997
PubMed
Summary

This study used electron microscopy to show that cholinergic axons in the human brain form synaptic connections. These findings provide the first ultrastructural evidence of cholinergic synapses on human cortical neurons.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Human Anatomy

Background:

  • Cholinergic axons are present in the human cerebral cortex.
  • Previous studies have demonstrated their existence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide ultrastructural evidence of synaptic connections made by cholinergic axons in the human cerebral cortex.
  • To characterize the nature of these synapses.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of human anterior temporal lobe tissue obtained during surgery.
  • Use of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunoreactivity to identify cholinergic axons.
  • Electron microscopy and serial section reconstruction to visualize and analyze synaptic varicosities.

Main Results:

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  • 67% of identified cholinergic axon varicosities formed synaptic specializations.
  • Synapses were typically symmetric and small, occasionally asymmetric and larger.
  • Postsynaptic elements were frequently spiny dendrites or spines.

    • Conclusions:

    • Cholinergic axons form synaptic contacts with human cortical neurons.
    • This study provides the first ultrastructural evidence for cholinergic synapses in the human cerebral cortex.
    • These findings contribute to understanding cholinergic neurotransmission in the human brain.